Pantherkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Murkystrike stood atop Jaggedrock, surveying the bustling clan. Batglow and Moonshine's kits had reached the age to become apprentices, and tonight they would receive their new names and mentors. "ShadowClan! Please gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock." Her yowl echoed over the camp as she searched for the subject of her summons, the small black she-cat named Pantherkit.

Pantherkit poked her head out of the nursery, blue-green eyes locking onto Murkystrike. Murkystrike. ShadowClan deputy. Responsible for apprentice ceremonies and stepping up when the leader was ill. Flintstar was fine. Apprentice ceremony it was. And there was absolutely no chance it was Cheetahkit or Nightkit’s. It was obviously Pantherkit’s. She quickly took a few seconds to groom her fur, admiring its dull shine, before trotting up to sit in front of the Jaggedrock. She was going to zoom through her training until her Moonstone. Then, she was going to find out what, exactly happened to her mother. If StarClan was truly all-powerful, they’d know. Pantherkit looked straight into Murkystrike’s eyes, a small sliver of excitement on her face. She was ready.

Movement near the nursery caught her eye, and Murkystrike lifted her gaze to find Pantherkit. As she joined the gathering crowd, Murkystrike continued. "ShadowClan, I've gathered you here today to witness the ceremony of a new apprentice. Pantherkit, please step forward." She paused, allowing the young cat to step forward before continuing with the ceremony. "Pantherkit, you have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Pantherpaw. Webshadow will be your mentor. He is determined and observant, and I trust he will pass these qualities on to you through your training."

Webshadow, huh. Young warrior. Mentored by… Rosethorn? Maybe? Pantherpaw gave Murkystrike a nod and a rare smile before turning to her new mentor. She touched noses briefly before stepping back and scrutinizing him. “I’m ready for training when you are. I won’t be a pawful.” She wouldn’t, but she knew somecat who might. Pantherpaw scanned the crowd quickly for her sister. Probably hiding her tail so she wouldn’t have to face reality- Pantherpaw was the best of the two.

Webshadow had been lingering near the warrior's den, settled comfortably off to the side as he watched the ceremony unfold. He had to wonder if Murkystrike ever got tired of climbing up and down the Jaggedrock all the time– he probably would, especially since ceremonies happened so often. He yawned, wondering who this one's mentor would b–

Me? He blinked, stumbling to his paws. Murkystrike wanted him to train her? Well, he was sure he could, but... What did Rosethorn do with him? What was he supposed to do? And apprentices were supposed to like their mentors, but he had no idea where to start with small talk... Shaking his head to clear his worries, Webshadow started padding over to Pantherpaw when she quickly closed the gap herself, even bumping their noses together before he could do anything. "Right, uh. We'll start tomorrow, okay?" She was going to be... interesting.